Endowed with an alluring variety of landscapes and climates, Himachal Pradesh has visibly distinct physiographic zones that are home to numerous animals and plants. This variable topography has led to stunning views and allowed a wide variety of wildlife to strive. From the trans-Himalayan desert to verdant cedar forests, snow-fed rivers and glacial lakes, the state’s vast topographical diversity has made it a nature lover’s paradise.
If you want exhilarating glimpses of exotic wildlife, Himachal Pradesh is the place to be. The wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Himachal provide a perfect opportunity to witness the untamed and rare animals in their natural habitat.
Covering an area of 37,691 square kilometers, there are currently 32 national parks, 2 wildlife sanctuaries and 3 game reserves in Himachal Pradesh. These are:
1. Great Himalayan National Park
One of the most prominent wildlife parks in India, the Great Himalayan National Park was established in the year 1984 in the Kullu region of Himachal. In June 2014, this natural site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Spreading over an area of 754 square kilometers at an altitude that rises up to 6000 meters above sea level, this biodiversity park is home to more than 370 species of fauna, the most famous of which are the snow leopard, the bharal, the bear brown. , musk deer, monal, tragopan and snow cock.
2. Pine Valley National Park
Located within the Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh, Pin Valley is a cold desert biodiversity park, the only one in the state. With sub-zero temperatures for most of the year, it is a vast and sparsely populated land mass famous in large part for the presence of snow leopards and mountain goats. It is important to note that the national park does not receive foreign visitors and even domestic tourists require a permit to enter.
3. Suketi Fossil Park
Suketi Fossil Park, which is also sometimes known as Shivalik Fossil Park, is a National Geological Heritage Site in the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh. The fossil park is home to numerous vertebrate skeletons and fossils, all of which were recovered from the Middle and Upper Shivalik Formations. It features an exhibit of six life-size fiberglass models of prehistoric animals. Within its facilities there is also a museum that contains the bone remains of different mammals.
4. Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary
The Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 40 kilometers from Nahan in the Sirmour district. Covering an area of more than 4,000 square kilometers, the wildlife sanctuary is located in the lower Himalayan range and is protected by the sacred Renuka Lake. It is said to have large populations of brown bears, barking deer, leopards, and jackals, among many others.
